Payment under Ladki Bahin scheme can’t be hiked to Rs 2,100, says Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat amid fund diversion row

“It is a fact that the payout under the Ladki Bahin scheme cannot be increased to Rs 2,100 due to the financial burden on the Finance Department. However, this does not mean that the scheme will be scrapped. It will continue, and the government will fulfil its promise,” said the minister who is part of the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, during a press conference.

Shirsat also expressed dissatisfaction over the distribution of funds within the Mahayuti government.

“I currently have outstanding dues of nearly Rs 3,000 crore. I had requested the Chief Minister about a month ago to consider the needs of my department empathetically and to ensure that the rightful funds are released as per the rules. I have also communicated this in writing and spoken to Ajit Dada (Finance Minister Ajit Pawar) as well,” Shirsat said.

The Sena Minister had on May 3 criticised the decision of Finance Ministry, led by NCP’s Ajit Pawar, to reallocate approximately Rs 400 crore from the Social Justice Department to fund the Ladki Bahin scheme.

On Monday, the minister said that if funds continue to be diverted in this manner, several important schemes might come to a standstill. Shirsat clarified that he is not against the Ladki Bahin scheme and acknowledged that it helped Mahayuti to come to power.

“A file related to the Ladki Bahin scheme had come to me in February (for diversion of funds). I had then refused to transfer the funds, because through my department, we provide facilities to Dalits and minorities,” he said.

The Ladki Bahin Yojana, launched in July 2024, provides Rs 1,500 per month to women whose annual family income does not exceed Rs 2.5 lakh. During the Assembly elections, Mahayuti leaders had promised to raise this amount to Rs 2,100, which was considered instrumental in helping the alliance come back to power.
In March, during the first state budget presented by the government under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, no announcement was made regarding the anticipated increase in the payout of the Ladki Bahin scheme.

Asked about the promise, Fadnavis had then said, “We are working on delivering the increased payout of Rs 2,100. But while presenting the budget, it is important to maintain financial discipline to keep the scheme sustainable. Funds have been allocated based on previous trends. If we determine that an increase is feasible, we will fulfil our promise.” He confirmed that beneficiaries would continue receiving Rs 1,500 in April.